R4 Show Review - 31st Jan & 01st Feb 2024

The key member of the Burman camp, Bhanu Gupta, noted harmonica player n rhythm guitarist was dutifully n rightly paid tribute for his enormous work in HFM through his excellent rhythm guitar played in,
 ऐसे ना मुझे तुम देखो सीने से लगा लूंगा
Written by AB scored beautifully by  RDB for a non event film, sung impeccably by, who else, KK, in the prime of his unstoppable second innings, starting in a low key in the mukhra n gaining full momentum in the antaras, displaying his range in ample measure to the delight of his fans, present in considerable numbers in the group.  In all the legitimate hullabaloo over RDB , KK,n not the least Bhanu G, the poor AB goes unsung though a tear needs to be shed over his remarkable ease with words to convey any emotion equally well to the last common denominator, ensuring his place in the list of all time greats. It was informed that lead guitar is played in isolation as against the rhythm one, played throughout the song as an adjunct.

कदर जाने ना मोरा बालम बेदर्दी
Rajendra K, Madan Mohan, LM beauty of a song, was preceded with the narration of the ghazal queen, Begum Akhtar, recalling eulogising profusely the composition n the rendition on phone to the maestro himself. That the most revered giant in the field of ghazals was awe struck at the perfection of the number, speaks volumes about the greatness of all artistes involved. The subtle low key singing of LM, another queen in emoting the nuances of the character n the situation in  the film, as per the vision of the favourite of every music lover, MM, breathes life in the song n makes it a sublime soulful number overflowing with the  right जज़्बात l
The recording though familiar to many, can be heard any time any day again m again, given her stature n the honest assessment of the quality of hindi film music, corroborated in other instances by the likes of Bare Ghulam Ali Khan, Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, Prabha Atre et al.

यह झुकी झुकी निगाह तेरी
Another Rajendra K number, this time with the new darling of the show Usha K, sung  in his inimitable voice by M Rafi, was the next one.  The film has all loveable numbers n is a strong reminder of the musical skill of the only Lady MD of the fifties to eighties, being no less than any big name of the time either in melody or orchestration.  Samba is supposed to have lip synced this one.  The fast beat hummable romantic number with the intelligent mixture of western instruments with the humble  reliable dholok will do honours to her male counterparts, generally seen more adept for such a composition, hands down.   She has also given other romantic hits besides a haunting excellent sad number of LM  in the same movie showing her comfort with all genres of music.
 मेरी दास्तां मुझे  ही  मेरा दिल सुना के रोए
कभी रो के मुस्कुराए
कभी मुस्कुरा के रोए

It is always a pleasure listening to Harsh Datar recollecting his childhood days.  This time was no different with the imagery of an adolescent Harsh in shorts cycling down the road, doing justice to the gift he deservedly got in lieu of his academic excellence.   The AB Rajesh Roshan, Rafi, LM, Amit K less known forgotten song, राम करें अल्लाह करे तेरी मेरी  दोस्ती बनी रहे his choice number has RR unmistakably written all over it.  Certainly among the last songs of Rafi, with the unusual company of young Amit K n LM sounds good.  The lyrics ironically reflect the collective sentiment of the group of which  Harsh Dattar is an upfront, committed Green brand ambassador, leaving nothing to chance when it comes to liaison n coordination for the get togethers, major or mini.  Hats off to his spirit of initiative,  helping attitude n sweet nature, gifted with intellect n humility in equal measure.
While on the subject I take liberty to invite the members willing to be part of a two day get together in Chandigarh on 9th n 10th March  for which one from the States, six from Bombay, one from Goa , 13 from the NCR region, two from Chandigarh, making a total of 25 plus have already consented their presence. 9th is allocated to sight seeing n 10 th for indoor singing sessions.  Anyone willing can contact me or Harsh D.

मेरे गीतों का सिंगार हो तुम  जीवन का पहला प्यार हो तुम
Madhukar Rajasthani, Khayyam non filmi creation of around 1960 was the surprise but praiseworthy choice of Jyoti Jog since it is very less known even among the diehard fans of Rafi.   Balaji did nicely sum up the reason for Rafi going after Khayyam for satisfying his craving for doing something different from the routine  filmi stuff he was doing then day after day.   The talented song writer was the go to man for even Mannada for recording many superb non filmi albums.  The singing style of Rafi in this song is quite different from his rendition of filmi songs as there was no situation, actor or time limit to adhere to which could constrain the natural n exclusive voice of  M Rafi. He has sung outstanding nin filmi bhajans n ghazals with aplomb , zest n the right amount of emotion.

संभालो अपना दिल दिल वालों
An unlike Shailendra number, set to racy club music by SDB , sung by Asha B with surprise full throated  vocal contribution of RDB, a less known number from the hit music of Kala Bazaar of 1960 was the sixth song.   Keeping in view the mood n texture of song, RDB asstt MD seems to be calling the shots in the orchestration n arrangement of the song. We can safely trust the honourable mentors of the group to slip in their favourite genre club number some way or the other so much so  that now even oldies like me have cultivated a taste for the same n await it's next instalment.

आंखों में हमने आपके सपने सजाए हैं
The thoughtful romantic lines r a sure giveaway of the name of the song writer, the living legend Gulzar who combining with Khayyam, one wd readily think his natural ally, given their similar outlook n demeanour, but surprisingly joining hands only once, produce this honey dipped duet sung by KK n LM. This was also a showcase for a respected name in song arrangement Anil Mohle who also assisted Khayyam for this movie.  He was a composer,asstt MD, musician n arranger rolled into one for many marathi n hindi films n said to be the favourite arranger for LM stage shows.

वक्त करता जो वफा
आप हमारे होते
 हम भी औरों की तरह
आपको प्यारे होते
अपनी तकदीर में पहले से ही कुछ तो गम है
और कुछ आपकी फितरत में वफ़ा भी कम है
वरना जीती हुई बाजी
तो ना हारे होते
दम घुटा जाता है सीने में फिर भी जिंदा है
तुम से क्या हम तो जिंदगी से भी शर्मिंदा है
मर ही जाते  ना जो यादों के सहारे होते
हम भी प्यासे हैं साकी को बात भी ना सके
सामने जाम था लेकिन
उठा भी ना सके
काश गैरत ए महफिल के ना मारे होते
Such powerful line can only be written by a lyricist of the calibre of Indivar, the underestimated giant never managing to include his name among the top notch lyricists jn spite of his long eventful innings lasting over four decades n a large number of meaningful literary songs.  KA gave their heart out for this heart wrenching number full of sorrow, pathos n melancholy given full justice to by the innocent rendition of honest Mukesh. Dilip K himself once gave voice to this full song in a stage show as this was his favourite  number.

Thanx to the tireless managers for another good show n  keeping a tight breathless schedule ahead with PMP, MP, weekend show in succession.